Page 207 - GHES-3-2

Global Health Economics and
Sustainability
Gender inequality and healthcare

Through visualization and descriptive analysis, our study research and investigate other trends, such as linearity and/
offers insight into the various indicators and areas where or causality.
stakeholders should focus their resources to reduce gender
disparities and their impact on healthcare. The overall Acknowledgments
objective is to improve public health for all, particularly in None.
areas such as immunization, fertility rate, HIV, and other
diseases, access to anti-retroviral drugs, mortality rate, and Funding
life expectancy, among more. Both gender inequality and
health are central to individual and societal well-being None.
and quality of life. The framing and analysis of these issues Conflict of interest
should consider the macro-level factors (e.g., culture,
ethnicity, race, religious beliefs, and social dynamics) The authors declare that they have no competing interests.
and the hierarchy within which the gender-health
connection is shaped. This holistic approach requires the Author contributions
integration of diverse disciplines, innovative models, Conceptualization: Wullianallur Raghupathi
and comprehensive data sources. As health disparities Formal analysis: Viju Raghupathi
continue to widen globally and gender inequalities Investigation: All authors
persist, it is crucial to explore alternative perspectives Methodology: Wullianallur Raghupathi, Sarah Jinhui Wu
in research and strategy regarding gender equity and Writing–original draft: Wullianallur Raghupathi
healthcare delivery, as well as the prevailing inequities. Writing – review & editing: Sarah Jinhui Wu, Viju
When shaping action research and developing strategies, Raghupathi
stakeholders, including governments, must recognize the
paradox of gender equality – both as a catalyst for equal Ethics approval and consent to participate
opportunity and, in some cases, a trigger for inequality.
Addressing these macro-level disparities requires targeted Not applicable.
interventions at the highest levels of government and Consent for publication
society. Researchers play a critical role in empirically
examining the phenomenon and publishing their findings. Not applicable.
Similarly, policymakers can develop innovative policies
and collaborate with governments and other stakeholders Availability of data
for effective implementation. The government plays Data are available from the corresponding author on
an active role in advocating for actionable policies and reasonable request.
implementing them. All stakeholders must effectively
communicate the benefits and risks to the public at References
large. Gender equality and equitable access to healthcare Anderson, M., Pitchforth, E., Asaria, M., Brayne, C., Casadei, B.,
are fundamental human rights, and education is key to Charlesworth, A., et al. (2021). LSE-Lancet Commission
advancing these goals. on the future of the NHS: Re-laying the foundations for
The present study paves the way for future research an equitable and efficient health and care service after
endeavors. Future studies should explore the impact COVID-19. The Lancet, 397(10288):1915-1978.
of climate change on gender inequality and healthcare, https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(21)00232-4
particularly whether climate change disproportionately Annandale, E., & Hunt, K. (2000). Gender Inequalities in Health:
affects women. Additional research through focus groups, Research at the Crossroads. Buckingham: Open University
case studies, field studies, and the analysis of other data Press.
categories (e.g., economic data and poverty) may provide
deeper insights into the relationship. Beyond macro-level Arber, S., & Khlat, M. (2002). Social and economic patterning
factors, future research could examine country governance of women’s health in a changing world. Social Science and
Medicine, 54: 643-647.
systems, healthcare delivery models (e.g., national systems,
insurance-based, hybrid systems, and single vs. multi-payer https://doi.org/10.1016/s0277-9536(01)00114-9
systems), and the role of digital technologies in enabling Artazcoz, L., Benach, J., Borrell, C., & Cortes, I. (2007). Health
healthcare (e.g., e-health, m-health, and telemedicine). inequalities in a combined framework of work, gender and
In addition, future research can build on the preliminary social class. In: Work and Social Inequalities in Health in
associations between variables highlighted in the current Europe. Switzerland: Peter Lang, p.479.

Volume 3 Issue 2 (2025) 199 https://doi.org/10.36922/ghes.5776